From Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The United Action for Democracy (UAD) has raised concerns about political unrest within the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling it a threat to internal democracy and a reflection of a broader national crisis.
At a press briefing, Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, UAD General Secretary, said candidate screening, typically an internal process, has become a public issue due to protests. “It has become clear that what we are witnessing is no longer just an internal matter. Members of these parties are taking to the streets, openly challenging the imposition of candidates and the lack of transparency. As stakeholders in Nigeria’s democracy, we have a duty to speak out and present our perspective on the situation,” Ajayi stated.
He called for investigations into alleged irregularities, noting police presence at screening and protest sites. “This is a matter of national interest, and Nigerians need to understand the state of our democracy,” he added.
Ajayi criticised governors for undermining local government autonomy, despite last year’s Supreme Court ruling. He accused the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) of enabling irregularities in areas like Alimosho, Lagos Island, and Agege. “In all these areas, legitimate party members were disenfranchised. Candidates were imposed without proper voting or collation, and LASIEC officials were complicit in falsifying ballot counts,” he said.
UAD reported harassment of observers, journalists, and party agents at collation centres. They condemned the imposition of a murder suspect and alleged land grabber as an APC candidate in Agbado-Okeodo.
UAD demanded:
– Immediate suspension and arrest of the LASIEC Chairman for electoral malpractice;
– An independent probe and prosecution of the involved officials;
– International sanctions, including visa bans, for those implicated;
– Nationwide resistance to “rogue elections”
Ajayi warned that inaction could embolden similar issues in the 2027 elections. “We stand firm in our resolve to expose, challenge, and resist all forms of anti-democratic manipulation. The so-called local government democracy is a ruse. We must rise before it becomes the norm,” he said.
Wale Balogun, former UAD National General Secretary, likened APC’s internal dynamics to a predatory system. “There’s a saying—fish feed on fish. The internal wrangling within the APC concerns all of us, not just because it’s the ruling party in Lagos State, but because it holds power at the national level. The same practices we see here will be replicated nationwide,” Balogun said.
He recalled UAD’s role in opposing military rule and said public anger in Lagos stems from imposed candidates. “It’s disheartening that local delegates are being sidelined and that politicians are being imposed without community input. If this continues unchecked, it could set a dangerous precedent for the upcoming July 12th local government elections,” he said.
UAD urged reforms to ensure transparency in political parties, warning that eroding internal democracy threatens Nigeria’s governance.